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Gliding Motility Mechanisms in Divergent Mycoplasma Species

Relich, Ryan F.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1316482073

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Microbiology.
Bacteria belonging to the Mycoplasma pneumoniae phylogenetic cluster possess polarity that is conferred by a differentiated tip structure called the attachment organelle. Among the species comprising this cluster, all but one have been experimentally demonstrated to exhibit a contact-dependent form of motility categorized as gliding, a process that is mediated by the attachment organelle. The subcelluar structures within the attachment organelle are conserved in all of these species; however, the morphology and gliding speed of each are distinct. The reasons for these phenotypic disparities are unknown, but we propose that an adhesin common to all of these species, called P30 in M. pneumoniae, contributes many of the species-specific differences, and the concentration of this protein at the attachment organelle tip dictates gliding speed. To test our hypotheses, we examined several phenotypes of an M. pneumoniae P30 null mutant, II-3, expressing a P30 ortholog, P32, from the closely related species Mycoplasma genitalium, which is phenotypically distinct from M. pneumoniae. Although these experiments did not identify a role for P30 in species-specific phenotypes, P32 was demonstrated to be a functional surrogate for P30 in M. pneumoniae. These data also comprise the first report of successful orthologous gene replacement in mycoplasmas, a technique that is potentially amenable for the study of other aspects of mycoplasma biology. We next examined phenotypes of M. pneumoniae II-3 cells expressing native P30 under the control of the M. pneumoniae ldh promoter, which gave rise to several transformant strains expressing variable low levels of P30. These data indicated a positive correlation between the concentration of P30 and the speed at which cells glide. We also used techniques for the analysis of M. pneumoniae and its relatives to examine the rod-shaped mycoplasma, Mycoplasma insons. We were able to characterize a novel cytoskeleton and gliding motility in this species, although, we were not able to define the bases for polarity or motility generation. Overall, the work described herein provides insight into the biology of mycoplasmas and their motility, as well as description of novel experimental approaches for studying these unique microorganisms.
Mitchell Balish, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Kelly Abshire, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Joseph Carlin, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Gary Janssen, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
John Kiss, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
135 p.
Microbiology
Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Mycoplasma genitalium; gliding motility; P30 adhesin; orthologous gene replacement

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Relich, R. F. (2011). Gliding Motility Mechanisms in Divergent Mycoplasma Species [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1316482073

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Relich, Ryan. Gliding Motility Mechanisms in Divergent Mycoplasma Species. 2011. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1316482073.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Relich, Ryan. "Gliding Motility Mechanisms in Divergent Mycoplasma Species." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1316482073

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1316482073
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12